Natural remedies can be a gentle and effective way to ease coughs, soothe sore throats, and support recovery. There are many DIY cough remedies you can make quickly at home with common fridge and pantry ingredients. They work best when used early. So at the very first sign of a cough or tickly throat, before symptoms have a chance to settle in, you should reach out for any of these quick remedies:
- Cough remedies for kids – gentle, natural, and age-safe
- Cough remedies for adults – slightly stronger and more warming
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
Do not use this post as a substitute for qualified medical advice.
Natural Cough Syrup for Kids
This syrup is a great way to soothe cough at home. It’s simple, soothing, and totally natural. Since it contains honey, it is only suitable for kids above the age of one year.
You can make it with the following ingredients:
- 1 cup raw honey
- Juice of half a lemon
- 1-inch piece of fresh ginger (grated or finely chopped)
Honey has natural antibacterial properties and has been shown in studies to reduce nighttime coughing in children. It also coats and soothes the throat, making it especially helpful for dry, tickly coughs.
Lemon adds a boost of vitamin C to support immunity and helps to cut through mucus thanks to its natural acidity. It also freshens the throat and can reduce that thick, coated feeling.
Ginger is the warming ingredient that brings anti-inflammatory and decongestant benefits. It helps relax the airway muscles, ease throat irritation, and gently reduce the urge to cough especially when the cough is caused by cold or congestion.
How to Make It
- Simply Warm the honey gently in a small saucepan (don’t boil it, just warm enough so it loosens).
- Add the lemon juice and grated ginger. Stir well and let it steep for about 15 minutes with the lid on.
- Strain out the ginger bits and pour the syrup into a clean glass jar or bottle.
How to Take It
While there is no specific dosing for natural remedies, thiis syrup works best if you:
- Give your child 1 teaspoon before bed, and another 1–2 teaspoons throughout the day as needed.
How to Store It
- Keep it in a glass jar with a tight lid in the fridge.
- It stays fresh for about 1–2 weeks. Always use a clean spoon.
Other Natural Cough Remedies for Kids
- Warm water with lemon
- Steam in the shower
- Humidifier with essential oils
- Pineapple juice
- Saline spray
- Warm Bone Broth
1. Warm water with lemon
A simple mix of warm (not hot) water and freshly squeezed lemon juice helps soothe a dry throat and break up mucus.
How to take: Give small sips throughout the day.
2. Steam (in the shower or bathroom)
Steam helps loosen phlegm and calms coughs, especially at night.
How to take: Run a hot shower, close the bathroom door, and sit with your child for 10–15 minutes.
3. Humidifier with essential oils
Adding moisture to the air can reduce nighttime coughing, and a drop of kid-safe eucalyptus or lavender oil can add soothing benefits.
How to take: Use at night in the child’s room (avoid oils if your child has asthma).
4. Pineapple juice
Surprisingly, pineapple contains bromelain — an enzyme that may help with cough and mucus.
How to take: Offer a few tablespoons chilled or room temp 1–2 times a day.
5. Saline nose spray
A runny nose often leads to postnasal drip (aka nighttime coughing). Clearing the nose can prevent that.
How to take: Spray gently into each nostril before naps or bedtime.
6. Warm Bone Broth or Chicken Soup
Broth is hydrating, soothing, and packed with nutrients. The warmth helps thin mucus, ease throat irritation, and calm a cough — especially during colds or flu.
How to serve: Sip warm from a mug or eat as part of a simple soup with soft veggies and noodles.
Homemade Cough Syrup for Adults
Now let’s talk about us — the grown-ups who still need to function while coughing up a lung. This syrup is strong, spicy, and works like a charm for sore throats and deep coughs.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup raw honey
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper (for extra kick)
This homemade syrup works because each ingredient targets a different part of the cough-and-congestion cycle. Apple cider vinegar helps break down mucus and soothe a scratchy throat with its antibacterial properties and slightly acidic pH, which can balance the body’s internal environment.
Raw honey coats the throat, easing irritation and calming that constant urge to cough. It also has antibacterial properties and natural enzymes that support healing.
Ginger brings warmth and acts as a natural anti-inflammatory and decongestant, helping to relax the airway and reduce tightness or chest discomfort.
Lemon juice adds vitamin C to boost the immune system and thins out mucus so it’s easier to clear. And if you’re up for it, a pinch of cayenne pepper can stimulate circulation and break up stubborn congestion — it gives the syrup a gentle kick that helps everything move.
How to Make It
- Combine everything in a jar and mix well.
- Let it sit for at least 30 minutes before use. (You can also blend it for a smoother finish.)
How to Take It
- Take 1 tablespoon every few hours as needed.
- Don’t exceed 3–4 doses in a day, as vinegar is acidic.
How to Store It
- Keep in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 3 days
- Shake before each use.
6 More Natural Cough Remedies for Adults
- Tumeric milk
- Thyme tea
- Licorice root tea
- Ginger + clove tea
- Salt water gargle
- Steam inhalation
1. Turmeric Milk (Golden Milk)
Turmeric has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, and when mixed with warm milk, it creates a soothing drink that can help ease throat irritation and nighttime coughing.
How to take it: Warm 1 cup of milk (dairy or plant-based), stir in ½ teaspoon of turmeric and a pinch of black pepper. Add honey if you like. Sip before bed.
2. Thyme Tea
Thyme has expectorant and antibacterial properties that can help loosen mucus and calm bronchial spasms.
How to take it: Steep 1–2 teaspoons of dried thyme in a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes. Strain and drink up to twice a day.
3. Licorice Root Tea
Licorice root helps coat the throat and ease inflammation, making it ideal for dry, nagging coughs.
How to take it: Steep 1 teaspoon of dried licorice root in hot water for 10–15 minutes. Drink up to twice a day — but avoid if pregnant or if you have high blood pressure.
4. Ginger + Clove Tea
Cloves are naturally analgesic and antiseptic, while ginger helps reduce inflammation and warm up the chest.
How to take it: Simmer sliced ginger and 2–3 whole cloves in water for 10 minutes. Strain, add honey, and sip slowly.
5. Salt Water Gargle
This old-school remedy is still one of the best for sore throats and upper airway irritation.
How to take it: Dissolve ½ teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Gargle for 30 seconds, spit, and repeat 2–3 times a day.
6. Peppermint Steam Inhalation
Peppermint contains menthol, which helps open airways and reduce the urge to cough.
How to take it: Add a few drops of peppermint essential oil to a bowl of steaming water. Lean over (with a towel over your head) and breathe in the steam for 5–10 minutes.
So there you have it, natural cough remedies for kids or you. Hope these help you find quick relief of symptoms.
